15 October 2009

Turn Down Your Thermostat

Did you know that is Blog Action Day, and that this year's theme is Climate Change? I'd forgotten until Ilina posted a list of simple ways to be more environmentally conscious. Her list is pretty comprehensive, but she forgot one thing: turn down your thermostat in the winter. She's forgiven, though, because she lives in the south.

We haven't yet turned on the heat in our house - partially out of frugality, partially out of energy consciousness - even though the early morning outside temperatures have been in the 30s, and it is decidedly chilly in the house. (There hasn't yet been a frost.) Last year, we made it to the beginning of November; the other day, my husband quipped that we should aim for the first of December.

Once we do deign to put the heat on, we use a programmable thermostat that keeps the heat at 55°F at night and during the middle of the day. For the morning and evening rush, the temperature spikes up to 64°F. On weekends, we compromise at 60°F during the day. Yeah, it's not toasty warm in the house, but move around! Wear a sweater!

Tonight, I'll probably dig out the second duvet - I layer a newish medium weight one with a worn out thin one to get a nice winter weight down comforter.

And I'm not going to turn on the heat until I have to.




Edited to add - Apparently, it's snowing big juicy clumps at home. At work? Just rain. Perhaps we won't make it to the end of the month...

20 comments:

S said...

I admire you. My husband likes it HOT. I turn down the heat, and he always notices. We are at war over the thermostat.

S said...

Giggle. Just realized how that reads. Oh, well.

Andrea said...

Thanks for stopping by. At some point I'll probably trade my chilly, grouchy frugality for a little more heat but for now I guess I just pull out the wool socks. :)

Ilina said...

I'm with you. It's in the 40s/50s here this week, and people are turning on the heat. I just added blankets to my kids' beds and make them wear a sweatshirt or snuggle with me on the couch. I hate when people crank up the heat just to wear shorts and T-shirt in the middle of winter. Grr... Or shall I say Brrrr....?

Anonymous said...

Since I am home most of the time, we keep it at 60 around the clock. I own more slippers than I do shoes, I drink a lot of hot beverages, and look forward to doing the dishes so I can warm up my hands.

We have seven separate zones, but my husband is too worried about burst pipes for me to get away with putting it any lower.

I'll have to check out that link and see where we can do more.

painted maypole said...

wow. my husband thinks I'm miserly for keep it around 67 during the day. (granted, he feels like he should be able to wear shorts around the house year round, and then when he goes outside in our NOLA "Winter" he'll wear a winter coat and then turn on the air conditioning in his car. Drives me nuts!!)

Mental P Mama said...

I haven't turned the heat on yet...and it was sleeting here in Fairfield County this morning. I am turning into THAT old lady. And I like it.

Suburban Correspondent said...

I'm betting you have radiant heat, correct?

shrink on the couch said...

and right now I'm proud of myself for not turning on the AC. sweating as I type this.

mayberry said...

I can't believe you have snow before we do. Not that I am complaining.

RuthWells said...

You are seriously hard-core. My husband complains bitterly if the temp is below 68*, but I keep trying to sneak it lower....

Bibliomama said...

Not that I can translate your crazy fahrenheit temperature readings, but you'll be happy to know that my husband and all my friends all dress in layers to survive my house. I like it brisk :)

Angeline said...

In my country, its never too hot nor too cold... so thermostat for us? Nahhh...
but I'm hopping over to see your friend's list...

Anonymous said...

here it's more like "turn up the a/c"

Stimey said...

Oh, man, I don't know if I can do that. I like to keep my thermostat in the mid 70s. My husband wages quiet war against that.

Awesome Mom said...

I already have my heat on. I turned it on when I realized that the layers of clothing that the baby was wearing was making it hard for me to change his diaper. I am not sure I could handle 65, I am chilly with 68 but then we also have drafty windows that really need an update but well $$.

Pinky said...

I'm freezing and ready to cave in and turn the heat on. But the thermostat seems to be on the fritz, and the furnace man isn't returning my calls!

EmmaL said...

I've lived in the same condo for three and a half years and I have never had to turn the heat. Must be the neighbors are heating my place or something. It stays 70 degrees no matter how cold it gets outside!

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed at your commitment. I will be honest, this is one area that I'm a total wimp. I blame it on the small children, but really, it's me. I suppose I could start by lowering it a couple of degrees just to try, though.

Kyla said...

HA! HA! 55? That is like a pipe dream of mine. It is 63 out (73 with humidity), which is the weather with our cold front! Typically we keep our thermostat on 78 or 79 (AC, not heat) during the day and 77 or 76 at night. Right now the windows are open and it is not running...such a DELIGHTFUL and rare change!